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Blood test results explained at health fair in Fort Morgan

More than 700 had blood drawn week before fair

Many showed up for the Colorado Plains Medical Center Community Health Fair at Fort Morgan High School Saturday.
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Lauren Melancon, a family nurse practitioner with Colorado Plains Internal Medicine, explains the results of a blood test to Kenny McCloud of Fort Morgan during the Colorado Plains Medical Center Community Health Fair Saturday at Fort Morgan High School.
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Knowing what blood tests mean can help people figure out what they should do.

That is why medical professionals were on hand to explain the results of tests Saturday during the Colorado Plains Medical Center Community Health Fair at Fort Morgan High School.

The "Ask a Doctor" booth was busy as those who received their results sought explanations of what they mean. More than 700 people had their blood drawn in the week before the fair, and their results were on hand to discuss.

"How do you correct that?" asked one person who received his results.

Often, people have questions about thyroid, glucose, prostate and cholesterol issues, said Nurse Practitioner Lauren Melancon, one of those manning the booth.

Cathy Kliewer of Fort Morgan has her blood drawn by Larrisa Curtis of Sterling during the Colorado Plains Medical Center Community Health Fair Saturday. The blood tests are inexpensive, giving people a chance to find out about their health at an affordable cost.
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Thyroid problems like hypothyroidism can cause fatigue, weight gain and constipation, among other things, she said.

When the thyroid gland fails it is called hypothyroidism. When it is overactive, it is called hyperthyroidism.

If there is an indication that thyroid hormone readings are off, people are told to follow up with their primary physician, who may recommend medication, Melancon said.

Others asked what the results of a prostate cancer screen test meant. If the results are out of the normal range, people may want to consult a urologist, Melancon said, especially if the person has a family history of someone having prostate cancer in his 40s.

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Otherwise, people usually should start screening for it in their 50s.

This kind of knowledge can be important, which is why the theme of the fair this year was "The Power of Prevention," said Sandy Schneider-Engle, director of community relations and marketing for CPMC.

In many cases, the earlier any health issues are discovered, the sooner people can get help, she said, and prevent much more serious problems.

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